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We've been twice before, both times based on the large pontoon, with buffet lunch etc.

I've noticed a few people talking about going there, but not based on the pontoon. What is the price difference? And, for anyone who's done both, is the experience as good? Can you snorkel next to the pontoon, or is there a barrier to keep you out? Is the marine life as good outside this area?

I've done this twice, both times with Langkawi Coral, the expensive version of the two. And I can't recommend it highly enough! You get a really good lunch as well and it's got a glass-bottomed boat that takes you out on trips. There's also a designated area where sharks swim and you can swim with them. As the boat pulls up to a fixed pontoon, there are literally thousands of fish who hang around it (make sure you grab some bread rolls from the lunch to feed the fish - it's amazing as they almost leap out of the water to eat it!) Hope this is useful!

Coral Island is the cheaper of the two. Prices start at about RM 80 and I have never paid more than RM 120. It all depends on how busy they are and what time of year you go. They serve a very basic sack lunch. It includes rice, a cold piece of chicken, a hot dog (without bun), chicken nugget, and water. The boats they take arent bad. Fully air conditioned, has a couple T.V.s and nice chairs. There is a deck on top for riding in the wind as well. They have a snack bar on board ship where you can buy chips, water, and sodas. The provide you with full snorkel gear although its not as fancy as the other place.

The only drawbacks I see are the food and not having super nice looking gear. The gear is still fully functional though.

We went to Pulau Payar with East Marine. Sounds pretty much the same as the Coral island: ferry to the wooden pier, basic sack lunches and snorkeling gear. The turbo engine of the ferry we took just blasted on the way there, and we were 30 min late. Didn´t get to spend more time in the afternoon, so we were a bit dissapointed. It was 160 MYR.